Yet history shows that wealth is usually built by backing the right assets and then giving them time to work, not by constantly tweaking a portfolio.

If your goal is to invest once, stay invested, and let global growth do the heavy lifting over the next decade, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are hard to beat. They offer portfolio diversification, exposure to powerful structural trends, and far less stress than trying to pick individual winners.

With that in mind, here are three ASX ETFs that could be top buys in 2026 and worth holding through to at least 2036.

Betashares Asia Technology Tigers ETF (ASX: ASIA)

The Betashares Asia Technology Tigers ETF gives investors access to some of the most influential technology companies across Asia, excluding Japan. These are businesses powering everything from ecommerce and digital payments to semiconductors and social media across fast-growing economies.

Key holdings include companies such as WeChat owner Tencent Holdings (SEHK: 700), chip giant Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (NYSE: TSM), Temu owner PDD Holdings (NASDAQ: PDD), and ecommerce leader Alibaba Group (NYSE: BABA).

While Asian tech stocks can be volatile in the short term, the long-term opportunity is compelling and underpinned by rising middle classes, accelerating digital adoption, and ongoing innovation.

This fund was recently recommended by analysts at Betashares.

BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF (ASX: NDQ)

The Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF is one of the simplest ways to invest in many of the world's highest-quality growth companies. It tracks the Nasdaq 100 Index, which is home to global leaders in technology, consumer services, and healthcare.

While the Magnificent Seven often dominate headlines, the Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF also provides exposure to businesses beyond that group. This includes stocks like Adobe (NASDAQ: ADBE), Intuit (NASDAQ: INTU), Starbucks (NASDAQ: SBUX), and Costco Wholesale (NASDAQ: COST).

Over a 10-year horizon, continued investment in artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and digital services could help the Magnificent Seven and these businesses compound earnings well into the 2030s.

Betashares India Quality ETF (ASX: IIND)

The Betashares India Quality ETF offers a different kind of long-term opportunity. Rather than focusing purely on technology, it targets high-quality Indian stocks with strong balance sheets, sustainable earnings, and competitive advantages.

India is forecast to be one of the fastest-growing major economies over the next decade, driven by favourable demographics, infrastructure investment, and a rapidly expanding middle class.

The Betashares India Quality ETF provides exposure to this growth through a diversified portfolio of businesses across financials, consumer sectors, and industrials.

For investors looking to diversify beyond developed markets, this fund adds an attractive growth engine to a long-term portfolio. It was recently recommended by analysts at Betashares.

The post The best ASX ETFs to buy in 2026 and hold until at least 2036 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

This index fund has soared in popularity amongst ASX investors in recent years, thanks to its future-facing composition and tech-heavy exposure.

As my Fool colleague Bronwyn reported late last month, NDQ is one of the most sought-after ASX ETFs on our market. It is currently the seventh-most popular fund by funds under management. We also recently covered how NDQ was the fourth most-bought fund for customers using the Stake brokerage platform over the second half of the 2025 financial year.

The Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF is a relatively simple index fund, covering the largest non-financial stocks listed on the US' Nasdaq stock exchange. The Nasdaq is known for housing most of America's best-known tech stocks. That includes all of the famous 'Magnificent 7', as well as companies like Airbnb, Netflix, Adobe and PayPal.

It's not just a tech ETF, though. Some other names that can be found in NDQ's holdings include Starbucks, Pepsico, Monster Beverage and Cadbury-owner Mondelez International.

But let's get down to the numbers.

How much would $10,000 invested in the NDQ ETF in 2020 be worth today?

Five years ago, on 5 November 2020, NDQ's ASX units were being priced at $27.59 each. Today, at the time of writing anyway, those same units are worth $57.85 each. That's a gain worth 110%. Or approximately 15.95% per annum.

Not bad. This means investors would have more than doubled their capital investment alone, with that $10,000 turning into $20,968 or so today. Most of these gains came from simple stock price appreciation. However, some would also have come from currency returns too.

Although NDQ is an ASX-listed ETF, its portfolio is priced in US dollars. That means that its returns need to be converted from US dollars to Australian dollars before we can assess them. The Australian dollar is almost 10% lower today against the greenback than it was five years ago. As a result, his would have provided our returns with an additional (and meaningful) boost.

However, that's not where the story ends. As Betashares NASDAQ 100 ETF investors would know, this fund also pays out periodic dividend distributions.

Since late 2020 and today, investors have enjoyed around $4.32 in dividend distributions per NDQ unit. That would see our investor bank another $1,636 in returns over the five-year period.

As such, we can conclude that a $10,000 investment in the ASX's NDQ ETF would be worth a total of roughly $22,603.50 right now. Again, not bad.

The post $10,000 invested in the NDQ ETF 5 years ago is now worth… appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

But with signs that cooler heads will prevail and a full-blown trade war likely to be avoided, attention is turning back to what could come next.

And if history is any guide, periods of uncertainty often set the stage for the next major market rally.

For long-term investors, that means now could be the ideal time to focus on high-quality, growth-focused exchange-traded funds (ETFs) positioned to lead the next upswing.

Here are three ASX ETFs that could be standouts when the next market boom arrives.

Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF (ASX: NDQ)

The Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF is one of the simplest and most effective ways to gain exposure to the world's leading growth companies. It gives investors access to the 100 largest (non-financial) stocks on the Nasdaq index.

While technology dominates the fund, it is more than just the usual household names. The Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF's portfolio includes global leaders such as Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL), Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA), Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN), Starbucks (NASDAQ: SBUX), and Costco (NASDAQ: COST).

These businesses are highly profitable, globally diversified, and many sit at the centre of megatrends like artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and digital transformation. If optimism returns and investors re-embrace growth, the Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF could once again be a front-runner in the next bull market.

Betashares Australian Momentum ETF (ASX: MTUM)

The Betashares Australian Momentum ETF offers investors a unique way to capture strong-performing Australian shares. Unlike traditional index funds, this ASX ETF doesn't hold the same shares all the time. It dynamically adjusts its holdings based on momentum, focusing on shares that are already trending higher.

This strategy can work particularly well in rising markets, as it systematically identifies and holds the shares leading the charge. At present, the Betashares Australian Momentum ETF's portfolio includes Qantas Airways Ltd (ASX: QAN), Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL), and Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN). These are a blend of cyclical and defensive names that reflects the current market's mixed sentiment.

If market confidence improves and Australian equities regain upward momentum, this ASX ETF's strategy is designed to capitalise automatically, keeping investors exposed to the strongest trends without the need to trade in and out of individual shares.

Analysts at Betashares recently recommended this fund.

Betashares Cloud Computing ETF (ASX: CLDD)

The Betashares Cloud Computing ETF is another ASX ETF to consider. It gives investors access to one of the most powerful long-term growth stories in technology. That is the global shift to the cloud.

Businesses across every industry are moving their operations, data, and services online, and this transformation is still only in its middle stages.

The Betashares Cloud Computing ETF holds a portfolio of companies driving this revolution, including Shopify (NASDAQ: SHOP), ServiceNow (NYSE: NOW), and Salesforce (NYSE: CRM). These provide the digital tools, infrastructure, and platforms that modern enterprises rely on to operate efficiently and scale globally.

This fund was recently recommended by analysts at Betashares.

The post 3 high-growth ASX ETFs that could lead the next market boom appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) make this approach even easier by providing instant exposure to hundreds — sometimes thousands — of companies in a single trade.

If you want to keep your investing simple but effective in 2025 and beyond, the three ASX ETFs listed below could form the backbone of a stress-free, growth-focused portfolio. They are as follows:

iShares S&P 500 ETF (ASX: IVV)

For most Australians, global diversification starts with the United States. The iShares S&P 500 ETF tracks the S&P 500 index, giving investors easy access to 500 of America's largest companies. This includes tech titans like Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) and Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA), as well as household names like Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO), Starbucks (NASDAQ: SBUX), and McDonalds (NYSE: MCD).

The US market has historically delivered strong returns, and the iShares S&P 500 ETF offers a low-cost way to tap into that growth while benefiting from the stability of blue-chip names across technology, healthcare, consumer staples, and financials.

Betashares Global Quality Leaders ETF (ASX: QLTY)

Another ASX ETF that makes investing simple is the Betashares Global Quality Leaders ETF. It focuses on global stocks with strong balance sheets, high profitability, and consistent earnings growth. These are the kind of businesses that often outperform over the long term. It currently includes stocks like Visa (NYSE: V), a payments leader with recurring revenues, and Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ), a global consumer staple brand with enduring demand.

This fund isn't just about growth — it is also about resilience. By filtering for quality metrics, the Betashares Global Quality Leaders ETF helps investors avoid weaker companies that might struggle in tougher markets. This ASX ETF was recently named as one to consider buying by the team at Betashares.

Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF (ASX: NDQ)

If you're seeking growth, then the Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF is hard to ignore. It offers exposure to 100 of the largest non-financial companies on the Nasdaq. This captures the heart of the global technology sector.

Alongside Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) and Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN), it includes innovative names like Broadcom (NASDAQ: AVGO), a key player in the semiconductor and networking space. With artificial intelligence and digital transformation reshaping industries, the Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF provides a simple way to ride some of the biggest secular growth trends in the global economy.

The post 3 strong ASX ETFs to buy for simple investing appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

But the good news is, with just $1,000, you can begin building a smart, diversified portfolio.

And better yet, you don't need to be an expert. The key is starting with a solid foundation and then gradually building from there.

Start with just two ASX ETFs

For investors new to the market, the easiest and most effective strategy is to begin with is ASX exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that give you broad exposure to both Australian and global equities.

In this case, a combination of the Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS) and Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF (ASX: NDQ) could be a powerful starting point.

Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF

The Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF is one of the most popular ETFs on the ASX. It provides exposure to the largest 300 Australian shares, offering an easy way to invest in the local share market in one hit.

It includes heavyweights like BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP), Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) and Cochlear Ltd (ASX: COH) — but also holds a long tail of smaller, quality names such as REA Group Ltd (ASX: REA) and Breville Group Ltd (ASX: BRG).

This broad mix gives you diversification, stability, and regular income via dividends. It could be a great backbone for any portfolio.

Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF

To balance out your Aussie exposure, the Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF offers something different: access to the 100 largest non-financial companies listed on the Nasdaq in the U.S.

Yes, it includes the giants — Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL), Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), and Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) — but also features exciting names that don't often make the headlines here in Australia, such as Intuit (NASDAQ: INTU), Adobe (NASDAQ: ADBE), Starbucks (NASDAQ: SBUX), and Costco (NASDAQ: COST).

These are high-quality, globally dominant businesses in technology, consumer staples, and healthcare — many of which have grown earnings consistently for decades.

Build steadily with regular contributions

Once you've allocated your initial $1,000 — perhaps an even split of $500 into each ASX ETF — the next step is to build the habit of regular investing.

Even modest monthly contributions of $200 to $500 can compound significantly over time, especially when invested in diversified the two ETFs above.

This approach helps smooth out volatility and lets you benefit from dollar-cost averaging — where you buy more units when prices are low and fewer when prices are high.

Add growth stocks over time

As your confidence grows and your ETF portfolio takes shape, you might consider branching out into individual shares with the potential to deliver outsized returns over time.

Think companies like Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME), a medical imaging business with high margins and global customers, WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC), a logistics software leader with enormous scale, Temple & Webster Group Ltd (ASX: TPW), a fast-growing online furniture retailer, and CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL), a global biotech giant with a long history of growth and innovation.

These are higher-growth businesses that could compound wealth faster than the broader market. However, they also carry more risk, which is why it is important to ensure they complement — not replace — your diversified core holdings.

Foolish takeaway

You don't need a big bank balance to start investing on the ASX. With just $1,000 and the right strategy, you can begin building a portfolio that's diversified, growth-oriented, and income-generating.

Start with ASX ETFs, commit to regular contributions, and then gradually add select individual shares. With patience and discipline, your portfolio could grow into something truly meaningful over the long term — no matter how modest the beginning.

The post How to start your ASX share portfolio with just $1,000 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

American companies are required to report their latest earnings every three months. That stands in stark contrast to the ASX. Here, six-month reporting periods are the norm.

Thanks to this quarterly schedule, there is always more news and more numbers to digest. There are also more share price swings and roundabouts on the US markets than there tend to be here in Australia.

It's quite an exciting period to be sure. Yes, it's always interesting to see how the likes of Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA), Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS), or Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) are faring. But I personally find it far more fascinating to take a look under the hood of companies like Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ: GOOG)(NASDAQ: GOOGL), Tesla Inc (NASDAQ: TSLA), Coca-Cola Co (NYSE: KO), and Netflix Inc (NASDAQ: NFLX).

As it happens, those four companies are set to reveal their updated books over the next fortnight.

Of those four stocks, Netflix is the first, with earnings set to be unveiled on Thursday, July 17, this week.

Coca-Cola's numbers are due out on Tuesday, 22 July.

Alphabet and Tesla will report the next day.

I'm excited to take a look at all four of these names. As a Coke shareholder, I'm interested to see how this holding has fared over the three months to 30 June.

Ditto with Alphabet. Much has been made of the supposed threats facing this company, given its primary breadwinner – Google Search – is facing competition from AI platforms like ChatGPT.

Some other US stocks I'll be watching this earnings season

But I'll also be watching companies that can be viewed as barometers of the US economy. For example, major American bank stock JP Morgan Chase & Co (NYSE: JPM) is due to report its earnings on Tuesday, 15 July.

Those might just give us an invaluable insight into the health of the US economy. This is arguably crucial at this juncture, as the effects of the Trump Administration's economic policies (tariffs and the like) are still uncertain.

Other 'bread-and-butter' companies might also be useful in this endeavour. That's why I'll also be keeping an eye on Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ), Procter & Gamble Inc (NYSE: PG), Visa Inc (NYSE: V), and Starbucks Corp (NASDAQ: SBUX).

Say these companies begin discussing dropping consumer sentiment or rising costs, thanks to the effects of the new tariffs. This could be something of a canary in the coal mine for the American economy, and it could have ASX implications.

So, over the next few weeks, I'll be keeping a weather eye on the American horizon as some of the world's biggest and most influential stocks reveal their latest numbers. It should make for some interesting reading.

The post US earnings kicks off this week: What I'm watching appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

But the good news is, with just $1,000, you can begin building wealth through the share market — and the ASX is a great place to start.

Here's how to put that $1,000 to work and start your investing journey the smart way.

Starting with ASX shares

It is always important to understand why you are investing.

That's because knowing your objective will help shape your strategy. For most people starting out, long-term growth is the name of the game — and that means focusing on quality and consistency over short-term wins.

Consider ETFs

If you're new to the market, picking individual stocks can feel overwhelming. That's where exchange traded funds (ETFs) come in. These investment vehicles let you buy a basket of shares in one go, giving you instant diversification.

For example, the Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS) gives you exposure to the top 300 shares on the ASX, including household names like Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) and BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP).

Whereas investors wanting international exposure could turn to the iShares S&P 500 ETF (ASX: IVV). It lets you invest in 500 of the largest companies in the US. This includes iconic companies like Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL), McDonald's (NYSE: MCD), Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), Nike (NYSE: NKE), Starbucks (NASDAQ: SBUX), and Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA).

Think long term

The most important part of investing with a small amount? Getting started and staying the course.

Investing $1,000 won't make you rich overnight — but it can build momentum. Over time, those initial dollars can grow through compounding returns, especially if you keep adding to your investments consistently.

Even adding $100 or $200 a month can snowball into significant wealth over time.

For example, starting with $1,000 and then adding $200 per month would turn into almost $43,000 in 10 years if you averaged a 10% per annum total return. Keep doing for another decade and your wealth would balloon to over $150,000.

And while 10% per annum returns are of course not guaranteed, they are in line with historical averages.

Foolish takeaway

Starting with $1,000 might not seem like much, but it's more than enough to begin your investing journey. Focus on diversification and quality, and remember: the goal isn't to time the market — it is time in the market that counts.

With patience and a long-term mindset, that first $1,000 could be the foundation of something much bigger.

The post How to become rich with ASX shares starting with just $1,000 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

For those looking to put $10,000 to work in April, ASX exchange-traded funds (ETFs) offer an easy way to gain instant diversification while taking advantage of current market conditions.

Here are a couple of top ASX ETFs that could be great options this month. Let's see what sort of shares they are invested in:

Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS)

Diversification is key to long-term investing success, and Australian investors often have too much exposure to local stocks.

The Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF helps solve this issue by providing easy access to over 1,400 leading global companies. This includes some of the biggest names in the world, such as Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL), LVMH, Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), Nestle, Starbucks (NASDAQ: SBUX), and Telsa (NASDAQ: TSLA).

This means that with this popular ASX ETF, investors gain exposure to the global economy's future growth without needing to pick individual winners.

Over the last decade, this ASX ETF has delivered strong returns, and with a large number of quality stocks among its holdings and the fund trading well short of its highs, it remains a compelling option for Australian investors looking beyond the ASX in April.

Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF (ASX: NDQ)

Technology stocks have had a bumpy ride in recent weeks, but history shows that investing in innovation can be very rewarding over the long run.

That's where the Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF comes in. This hugely popular ASX ETF provides exposure to 100 of the largest non-financial companies listed on the Nasdaq stock exchange, which includes many of the world's most innovative businesses.

The Nasdaq 100 is home to household names such as Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN), Google parent Alphabet (NASDAQ: GOOG), and Meta Platforms (NASDAQ: META), as well as companies at the forefront of artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, and digital transformation, such as Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA) and Broadcom (NASDAQ: AVGO).

While tech stocks can be volatile in the short term, long-term investors have been handsomely rewarded. And with AI set to reshape industries, cloud computing expanding rapidly, and digital payments continuing to grow, the Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF offers an easy way to gain exposure to these powerful trends without having to pick stocks.

The post Where to invest $10,000 into ASX ETFs in April appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

The first full month of 2025 is in the books, and the stock market is off to a decent start. The major indexes -- the S&P 500, Nasdaq Composite, and Dow Jones Industrial Average -- were up 2.7%, 1.6%, and 4.7%, respectively.

In a change of pace from previous months, the Nasdaq took a back seat to the Dow, as sectors like financial services, energy, and industrials outperformed tech. Nevertheless, there were plenty of big winners in the Nasdaq-100. Here are the top five performers during the month of January. 18%

The top five

Below are the top five stocks in the Nasdaq-100 based on price performance between Jan. 1 and Feb. 1, 2025:

1. Constellation Energy (NASDAQ: CEG), up 34%
2. Arm Holdings (NASDAQ: ARM), up 29%
3. Atlassian (NASDAQ: TEAM), up 26%
4. Starbucks (NASDAQ: SBUX), up 18%
5. Meta Platforms (NASDAQ: META), up 18%

Two themes emerge from this list: artificial intelligence (AI) and better-than-expected earnings reports.

First off, artificial intelligence remained a winning theme. Constellation Energy, Arm Holdings, and Meta Platforms are tied to the AI sector through rising data centre energy demand, semiconductor design licensing, and AI implementation, respectively.

Meanwhile, shares of Atlassian surged after the company's fourth-quarter earnings release topped expectations, both in terms of results and forward guidance.

Finally, Starbucks also reported an upbeat earnings report. The company's new CEO, Brian Niccol, is working to turn around this iconic American brand, whose stock has underperformed the market for several years.

Are any of these stocks buys right now?

In short, yes, all of them are worth considering. That's because the catalysts that pushed these stocks higher in January remain in place. So, while they may not be suitable for every portfolio, growth-seeking investors would be wise to keep these stocks near the top of their watch list.

This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

The post These were the 5 top-performing stocks in the Nasdaq-100 in January 2025 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

As things stand, I am poised to record a return of over 40% for the 12 months.

How did I get here?

My exposure to high-quality companies in the tech, retail, and healthcare sectors helped my portfolio outperform this year.

The star of the show was undoubtedly my overweight position in Life360 Inc (ASX: 360). At the time of writing, the location technology company's shares are up 200% year to date.

The now departed Altium also gave me significant funds to reallocate elsewhere after being taken over by Renesas this year. I didn't stick around to see the takeover complete. Instead, I locked in the gains in April and reinvested them back into the tech sector through Pro Medicus Limited (ASX: PME) and TechnologyOne Ltd (ASX: TNE).

Both of these ASX tech stocks have rocketed in value since then, compounding the funds even further.

I like to buy high-quality companies when an opportunity presents itself. This proved successful with ResMed (ASX: RMD) and Universal Store Holdings Ltd (ASX: UNI) last year.

ResMed's shares were down heavily because of weight loss wonder drug concerns. They have returned approximately 50% this year. Whereas doom and gloom in the retail sector dragged youth fashion retailer Universal Store to very inviting levels. Its shares are up approximately 85% in 2024.

Also contributing to the good performance were ASX share portfolio holdings such as Lovisa Holdings Ltd (ASX: LOV), Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO), Telix Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: TLX), Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC), and the Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF (ASX: NDQ).

I also took advantage of a sharp pullback in the Walt Disney Co (NYSE: DIS) share price. This high-quality company's shares have rallied over 30% since then.

It's not all sunshine and rainbows

I would love to say that all portfolio holdings performed well in 2024, but that isn't the case. And will almost never be the case. This is why portfolio diversification is so important.

I was let down by Endeavour Group Ltd (ASX: EDV) and Domino's Pizza Enterprises Ltd (ASX: DMP), and CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) underperformed the market.

Nevertheless, I believe the quality of these companies remains high (certainly CSL!) and I expect them to perform better in 2025. I may even take advantage of this weakness to add to positions in 2025.

There were also plenty of missed opportunities. Goodman Group (ASX: GMG) and Qantas Airways Ltd (ASX: QAN) shares are two that I planned to buy and never did. They are up in the region of 45% to 70% in 2024.

Another one I missed was Starbucks Corp (NASDAQ: SBUX). I had intended to purchase the coffee chain giant's beaten down shares the same day I bought Disney shares. But the announcement of a new CEO that day saw Starbucks rocket 30% before I could and left me wondering what could've been.

What's the plan in 2025?

I'm confident in my ASX share portfolio as we head into 2025.

But as always, I will look for opportunities to buy high-quality companies when they are trading at fair (or cheap) prices.

I will also continue to stay clear of speculative stocks that promise the world and deliver nothing but losses.

After all, it's just as important to avoid bad stocks as it is to buy great ones.

The post My ASX share portfolio is up 40% in 2024! Here's my strategy for 2025 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

These days the answer to that question is actually quantifiable by seeing which stocks have the most engagement on social media.

Of course, popularity on social media means nothing about whether those shares are worth investing in.

But it's still fascinating to see what the average person on the street is interested in.

Online broker City Index recently conducted research to come up with the 10 most popular stocks on Instagram and TikTok.

Here is what the team found:

People start investing in names they're familiar with

Predictably the list is dominated by US companies:

Funnily enough, Instagram's parent company Meta Platforms Inc (NASDAQ: META) does not make the cut. TikTok owner ByteDance is privately owned.

Even though the business and the stock have endured tough times the past couple of years, Visual Capitalist strategist Marcus Lu noted Disney had the highest social media engagement of any stock via hashtags like #disneystock, #disneystocks, and #disneyshares.

"Amazon comes in second in hashtags, with 1,384 videos regarding its financial performance accompanied by hashtags such as #amazonstock, #amazonstocks, or #amazonshares," Lu wrote on VisualCapitalist.

"In its most recent earnings report, the company disclosed the addition of 5.9 million new subscribers in the second quarter of this year."

The top 10 shows potentially how a person who has never invested starts becoming interested in buying stocks.

"The companies at the top of the list — all American — are some of the biggest brands globally," said Lu.

"This underscores how the general public is most comfortable approaching the stock market through businesses and brands they are most familiar with."

The post Revealed: The top 10 stocks on Instagram and TikTok appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

For example, a retiree may appreciate the high dividends that an ASX bank share like Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) doles out. But a younger investor might wish to go for something with a bit more of a growth profile.

There's no right way to invest when it comes to shares (although there are many wrong ways).

With all this in mind, let's discuss how I allocate my own share market portfolio. As discussed above, this is what works for me, and my own strengths and weaknesses.

Now, I have many many different holdings across my portfolio. So I won't discuss all of them. But I will touch on some theses and strategies that I tend to follow, and explain why.

ASX shares, dividends and franking credits

So to start with, I own a mix of ASX and US shares. This is for many reasons. I love the franking credits and local knowledge that makes ASX investing so rewarding.

But I also love the currency, geographic and economic diversity that comes from investing in the United States. What's more, most of the best companies in the world call the US home.

My selection process is a rather simple one: I look for quality companies, usually with a strong brand, that have demonstrated competency and resiliency over a long period of time.

Let's start with the ASX shares. So I do like a share that pays dividends, preferably those of the fully franked variety. One of my oldest holdings is Telstra Corporation Ltd (ASX: TLS).

I bought Telstra back in 2018 when it was trading for under $2.80 a share. The market hated it then, but I saw a company with a dominant brand providing an essential service. I continue to hold it today for those same reasons.

Another ASX share that is a long-term favourite of mine is National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB). NAB doesn't have the pricing premium that Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) does. But I still think it is one of the best-run ASX banks.

My favourite ASX share, though, is Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Co Ltd (ASX: SOL). I've discussed my love of Soul Patts before. But quite simply, it is a diversified market beater with an unmatched dividend record.

Looking across the pacific for my portfolio

Turning to US shares, and again my preference is strong brands and a proven track record. That's why my US shares include names like Apple, Microsoft, Mastercard, Alphabet, Nike and Amazon.

Tesla Inc (NASDAQ: TSLA) is another company that I own. When I first invested in the electric car maker, it was one of my riskier shares. But I have been delighted to see the company grow in size and scale (not to mention value).

Most of my other US shares are within the consumer staples sector. I love the resilience and stability that these kinds of shares can add to a portfolio, as well as the dividends, of course. Among my favourites are Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Starbucks and McDonald's.

Many of these companies have made a habit of raising their dividend every single year, so I have enjoyed watching my dividend income inch up steadily over the years.

So that's my ASX share portfolio in a nutshell and why I own the companies that I do. As I said, it may not be for everyone. But it works for me and my goals. And I sleep soundly every night. What more could one ask for?

The post Here's how I allocate my ASX share portfolio and why appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Few companies have more of an impact on consumers' daily lives than Starbucks (NASDAQ: SBUX) and Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX). 

Starbucks built its coffee empire by persuading the general public that drinking its favorite caffeinated beverage should be a premium experience worth paying up for. 

Netflix saw the prominence of the internet as an opportunity to deliver high-quality media content to viewers when and how they want it, at an affordable monthly price. 

They're both great businesses, but investors must weigh some key considerations before deciding which stock to buy.

The case for Starbucks 

Before the coronavirus pandemic significantly altered workers' daily commutes and coffee consumption patterns, Starbucks had been steadily increasing its sales over the past few years. From fiscal year 2016 through fiscal year 2019, total revenue increased at a 7.5% compound annual growth rate, while net income expanded at an 8.5% clip. 

Given the stable nature of its business, Starbucks stock is only up 59% over the last five years, which actually lags the broader S&P 500. What Starbucks lacks in top- and bottom-line growth, however, it makes up for with management's capital allocation policy. In fiscal 2019 alone, Starbucks repurchased more than $10 billion of its shares. This boosts earnings per share, something investors should appreciate. 

The company was hurt by stay-at-home orders implemented earlier this year. As corporate America shifted to a work-from-home model, office workers no longer frequented coffee shops on their way to work. Comparable-store sales declined 14% in fiscal year 2020 compared to the prior year. Starbucks has been demonstrating a recovery in these metrics, though, with fourth-quarter comps down only 3% in China. 

What hasn't seemed to slow down is Starbucks' propensity to open more stores. In the fiscal fourth quarter alone, the company added 480 new locations, bringing its total global store count to 32,660. Its main competitor in China, Luckin Coffee, admitted that it falsified financial records to boost reported sales in 2019, putting Starbucks in prime position to capture market share in this lucrative business. 

The case for Netflix 

As one of the leaders in the battle for our attention, Netflix has made investors rich throughout the years. Over the last decade, its stock is up 19-fold. This is due to impressive subscriber growth, which went from 20 million on Dec. 31, 2010, to 195 million today. 

With most of the world spending more time at home, Netflix benefited tremendously from a coronavirus-related boost during 2020. The company added nearly as many members in the first six months of this year as it did in all of 2019. 

But this remarkable growth has attracted fierce competition, especially from entertainment giant Walt Disney, whose Disney+ streaming service surpassed 73 million paying subscribers in its most recent quarter. This is still a long way off from where Netflix currently stands, but it's a looming threat.  

This industry is not a winner-take-all market, though. Many consumers will pay for multiple services to satisfy their viewing needs. Netflix is aggressively investing in improving its offering to attract viewers, because it must achieve global scale as quickly as possible. Growth has slowed in the U.S., leading to Netflix's intense focus on foreign markets. 

The final verdict 

I've laid out arguments for why both of these businesses warrant investment, and I'm an avid customer of both companies. However, one stock has the edge: Netflix. Even with a $215 billion market capitalization (nearly double that of Starbucks), I am a firm believer that Netflix still has plenty of room to run. 

As a digital-only offering, its business can theoretically serve everyone on the planet with a suitable internet connection. The number of broadband internet subscriptions worldwide continues climbing year after year, supporting Netflix's aspirations. 

Even with a seemingly elevated valuation, I think Netflix is the better buy.

This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

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